Victor Wooten now using D'Addario Strings

[deeptubes]

I've been using D'Addario nickel rounds for more than 20 years. Grown quite fond of them. First tried them when a guitarist friend suggested them when I was having issues finding strings I liked. Tried the ProSteels. Like their brightness, but they get kind of sticky feeling.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Geeze, I don't see anything wrong with D'Addarios. I've been using the XLs for about 15 years now. What I like about them is they are very consistent and last forever. They are also kind to my frets. The low B in particular is great.

But I've used a mess of different strings over the years. Anyone ever heard of Picato? Sound City?

I used to use GHS Boomers back in the late 70s and 80s, and a couple of years ago I needed strings, and saw a 5 string Boomer set and figured, what the heck, let me check them out. I used to break a lot of GHS strings, but then I used to pound on the strings with an extra heavy pick. The XLs had been on the bass about 8 months (I said they last forever). The new set of GHS strings were duller sounding then the old set of XLs! The low B was awful and thuddy as well.

They came off the next day.

I've used DRs, and while I liked them, they had a short lifespan, and every other set I bought had a bad string. This is when they first came out. Maybe they got better, but they were also too expensive.

I used to like Ken Smith strings, but they were hard to buy locally. I might try them again.

Rotosounds are great, and they like to eat frets for lunch! Used them for about 15 years back in the 70s.

LaBella round wounds were very bland sounding. No highs or lows.

I've tried most of the other strings on the market over the years.

The other thing I like about XLs is the twin pack is very economical. Two sets of 5ers for under $30.

 

[ksandvik]

I've tried D'Addarios, they are fine but DRs are just better. This is another case where every bass player has their preferences so in the early days it is good to find your own string set and not blindly purchase something that your bass player heroes use.

 

[ggoat!!!]

I wonder if using D'Addarios will allow you to do those super fast indistict fluttery leaves-stuck-in-a-fanblade non-musical turkey gobble-like eruptions that Wooten does all the time in his solos?

 

[SGD Lutherie]

I've tried D'Addarios, they are fine but DRs are just better. This is another case where every bass player has their preferences so in the early days it is good to find your own string set and not blindly purchase something that your bass player heroes use.

Of course things like this are very subjective. But how do you define "better" in a string?

 

[rashrader]

I play the string that makes me feel better.

What makes me feel better, you ask?

Depends on the day.

Cheers!!!

 

[SBassman]

I'm amazed at the D'Addario negativity.

They make a Great, Affordable, Long Lasting, Consistent string.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

I'm amazed at the D'Addario negativity.

They make a Great, Affordable, Long Lasting, Consistent string.

+1

An interesting fact is that D'Addario invented a lot of the automated machines used for making instrument strings. They've been in the string making business in the US since about 1920. They made strings for other companies under the name Darco.

 

[ggoat!!!]

I've tried D'Addarios about three or four times over the last 25 years.

All the roundwounds I tried had the same result..."grippy" feeling, slightly rough, and inconsistent output with terrible mids. They were snappy and zingy at first, but always lacked that midrange warmth. Also, they seemed to be quiet when played acoustically...there just wasn't as much SOUND there. Also, with a Kahler, they broke at the saddles very quickly. I wasn't impressed.

I tried a few sets of Chromes for my fretless basses, including a Rick 4003FL that I didn't want to destroy the coated fingerboard. I chose the Chromes due to the availability of a wide range of gauges...but the strings themselves I hated. Every time I played them for 30 seconds they coated my hands and the fingerboard with this black residue. No matter how much I wiped them down and attempted to clean them, they ALWAYS exhuded this horrible black residue. I read later that there was some sort of problem with manufacture of them, but by that time I had had enough. Talk about horrible strings. If you can't manufacture a product (who's sole purpose is to be TOUCHED) that doesn't leave your hands full of black gunk, then you just aren't doing something right.

 

[mmbongo]

I've kind of always thought of D'Addario as the McDonalds of strings. Been around forever, cheap cost, you know what you're going to get, you can get them anywhere you go, they get the job done well..but they are nothing special. 'Generic' strings if you will. Just my opinion! I feel the same way about Slinky's and Boomers as well.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

I've kind of always thought of D'Addario as the McDonalds of strings. Been around forever, cheap cost, you know what you're going to get, you can get them anywhere you go, they get the job done well..but they are nothing special. 'Generic' strings if you will. Just my opinion! I feel the same way about Slinky's and Boomers as well.

I always thought of them as high quality strings. Same with their guitar strings. Being around forever means they have a lot of experience. They are cheaper because they have high tech equipment. For a while they had the slow wound set, but then they got the same results from their auto winders. They last a long time because they are wound well.

Some of these newer strings are really inconstant. I tried the Dunlop strings when they came out. They were OK, but went dead very quickly. That's the experience I had with Dean Markley and DR strings as well. After a while I got tired of wasting money on strings so I stuck with D'Addario.

Now think about Fodera strings that Wooten was using. Who makes those? Certainly not Fodera. They have them made for them by a string manufacturer. I'd bet they are made by D'Addario. They make strings for a lot of companies.

One thing to consider is not every string sounds good on every bass. Back when I used Boomers they should god on my P bass and fretless P/J, but sounded like $h!† on my Ric. So I used to put certain strings on certain basses.

 

[Craig_S]

I tried the Dunlop strings when they came out. They were OK, but went dead very quickly.

Dunlop strings last as long as D'Addario, for me and I like their sound better.

 

[dontay]

I think you should say Victor Wooten gets paid to switch strings

 

[bass12]

Does anyone know what kind of underwear Victor wears? Just curious.

 

[RedLeg]

I am an XL fan, so I know I prefer nickel; never really liked the feel or tinniness stainless.

Here is something that was done to me years ago. I cannot tell the difference between nickel strings unless I look at the silk (or lack thereof) or the ball ends. In my younger years I was adamant about what gear I used because it all contributed greatly to the tone of my ....bass. And of course more expensive was better. My guitar friend put some xl's on my bass (sans my knowledge) and it was 2 gigs later till I knew what was up. I grew to accept d'addairios and actually grew to love their consistency and price. I wouldn't say that their the McDonald's of strings, because you will be malnourished on a McD's diet; rather they are the beans and rice!

P.S. there aren't that many actual string manufacturers. D'addario, dunlop, ball, etc make a lot of OEM stuff for boutique labels. And if you really want to be amazed, look up a little company called Link Removed, especially the specialty wire. They sell the metal wire to virtually every US manufacturer. So enjoy that fancy packaging!

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Dunlop strings last as long as D'Addario, for me and I like their sound better.

That wasn't my experience. I bought a set of the nickel Dunlops when they first came out, and they lasted a week. Then they were dull and thumpy. The low B went first. I really wanted to like them, especially since I had to then go and buy a new set of strings. They weren't as bright new either.

D'Addarios last me about 3 months. I like that new string sound. Some people like the broken in sound.

But to each their own. I just can't stand dead strings.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Does anyone know what kind of underwear Victor wears? Just curious.

Does he wear any?

 

[JimmyM]

Bought a set of XL's in the mid-80's and they've been my roundwound of choice ever since. Turned my nose up at them for a while because they were the cheapest strings in the stores, but one day I figured what the hell and I ended up really liking them. Still do. Every now and then I try something new, and I always go back, so I'm done experimenting. I try to be cool like you guys and play your $50 fancy-boy strings, but D'addarios are what I like. Sorry.

 

[sonic assassin]

I try to be cool like you guys and play your $50 fancy-boy strings, but D'addarios are what I like. Sorry.

fancy boy here. i dont really care what vic uses. his tone is going to annoy me regardless. but d'addario is #2 for guitars and #3 on my list of bass strings. im an elixir snob. otherwise ill take DR HI beams. then good old d'addario.

 

[sonic assassin]

I've kind of always thought of D'Addario as the McDonalds of strings.

ernie ball is mcdonalds. d'addario is wendys.

difference? one doesnt suck and the other is overhyped and terrible